Avalon Airshow
 

Attended the opening of the Airshow on Tuesday. Many pollies and bigwigs there. Have now returned to Sydney and there has been no mention in the media at all. Whose PR is failing and why?

Had to post on my own post;so much interest. Just read the Australian Aviation supplement and no mention of Avalon at all. What is going on?

What's Wrong!
Avalon has had the same display for the past 6 to 8 years.People need variety like at other airshows around the world.
Avalon is good for the person who has never been before.To a regular I wouldn't bother.They need big changes like new displays and different variety of aircraft attending the show.

I went wednesday and it was OK but same as every other year.

I hate to think what it would be like if the Americans decided not to fly all the way down here one year.
They flew 2 Super Hornets and 2 B1s (with tankers) and a C-5 all the way from the USA. F-16s and F-15 from Japan.
Without them it'd be basically the RAAF Hornets, Hawks and F-111.

I wanted to go today but the thought of paying $50 to wallow around in the mud just didn't get appealing enough. They have been flying a few of the big noise makers this afternoon though.

Where are all these neighbours that bought Flankers etc?

Why don't the poms send down a Typhoon and try to show up the Super Hornet?

"I wanted to go today but the thought of paying $50 to wallow around in the mud just didn't get appealing enough."

Plus $10 carparking and the food from those take away caravan things...I'd hate to think.

There is also the big relief (bush fire/flood) concert at the MCG today. Probably grabs a few of the punters also.

Either that or some sort of conspiracy theory with Avalon becoming the second International Airport of Melbourne and the airshow becoming a dead weight to its progress?

Agree with everyone . Too far to make the trip from QLD to see the same stuff over and over again. Plus would not support the mob of thieves that call themselves Airshows Downunder. Even has to pay on the trade only days. Even the big companies like Jeppesen did not bother with a stand this year. as already said if the Americans did not come there would be no show.

I went on first trade day. Arrived at 1000 and left at 1400. Saw one aerobatic aircraft and a Caribou fly during that time and the B1 Lancer got airborne and basically flew circles for thirty minutes at around 10,000 ft killing time for one slow run then 20 minutes later a so called fast run which looked around 250 knots at 1500 ft. While the noise of the Lancer with afterburners was impressive I think spectators were bored waiting for other than light aircraft to appear. Prices for food was exhorbitant and the organisers need to put a few chairs around the place for spectators to have a seat while having fast food. Exhibits were excellent as always and very attractive women too.

F-16... :zzz:

F-18... :zzz:

F-111... :zzz:

...Yeah, whatever.


I say: BRING BACK THOSE CRAZY MAD RUSSIANS!!!

AN-124 doing a low pass too close to the crowd line... :ok:

SU-27 giving the laws of physics the 'finger'... :ok:

(I'm sure you all get my drift).

The B1 Bomber was the noisiest thing I have ever heard. Way Cool.

All I can say is that it was bloody wet today!

and bloody muddy!

it was a wet and miserable day and for those who didn't go you didn't miss much apart from lines of storms and muddy Avalon walkways and grounds!!!

I couldn't agree more, bring in some russian hardware, some British, French or whatever, it seams to be getting tamer and smaller.

Thankfully the Americans were there, or the most exiting display would be from Jetstar

Totally agree.
The inaugural avalon airshow and a couple after that were great.
From then on the airshow has just gone downhill.

Quite strong crosswinds today - and a little showery.

Still and all...looked forward to AVV's last look at the venerable 'Pig'.

Caribou flew, C17 flew, various little single engine aerobatic aircraft also flew, so did a 'showy' little Jelly-belly colored thing. B747-400s braved the crosswind, so did several A320s. Even the jet-pack man had a go!

The expectation was building, the excitement almost unbearable. But we all knew the wait would be worth it.

Then the announcer said, (and I paraphrase) "...due to the crosswind, together with the wet runway, the F111 can't fly - it's beyond it's limits. So it won't be performing for the crowd today..."!!!!!

Ohhhhh, shucks. The poor widdle puddy pig - he can't fly when it gets too windy and too wet:sad:. Thank god for the F18s! The stand-in performance by the wee guy was quite impressive.

Lucky the F111s are being retired - the enemy would now be privy to the exact met conditions during which to attack!:}

What a shame. Deeply disappointed with todays effort. For sure the the weather was against the organisers.

Too many big gaps, seeing the same thing twice, expensive deep fried non-variety from too few few outlets after missing something coz' you were in a queue blah blah blah. For me and the girl, tickets, parking, lunch easily $150. In hindsight, would rather have gone to the concert.

Big thanks to the Yanks for what would otherwise be a big non-event.

Australia you can do better.

The bi-annual show at Omaka, NZ is light years ahead. And that has no military fast jets at all.

It was pretty **** to summarise.

Did anyone enjoy that Jelly Belly thing? WTF

Surely we can do better...

You have to wonder why they bother ??? must be a big $$$$$ return in it because the ebntertainment value is nil, all re hash

Sadly - have to agree - the Super Hornet was probably the best of a tame bunch! Although the weather didn't help, there was precious little new or interesting.

One thing that does grate is the commentary - can't remember which one of them it is, but boy, his put-on voice and style....:{

Unless something interesting happens next time, I wouldn't bother going again.

Sure It was there... but I don't think i even saw anything even close to getting a beacon on..
Just sat there.

The Jelly belly thing was more concerning than entertaining. And just totally un-funny on the 2nd and 3rd day.
I mean, Aileron falling off? That's just plain disconcerting. Though I was impressed with the streamer cutting.

I was really wanting to see some car windows smash or something from an F-16 flypast. Sure that'd be a lot of insurance money down the drain, but imagine the inital entertainment!

Some of the Light aircraft were good to walk around and see what was there.
Also: Anyone see that poor red and white biplane with the left gear collapse, thus, bending the lower wing strut and causing much damage?:ugh:

Was good for a first time. Not sure about a 2nd time though. Will have to find out in 2 years!